When we booked this Hotel we expected it to be one of the highlights of our trip. The facilities are AMAZING, really truely view from our room & two amazing pools. However, once we arrived the service was very bad. The breakfast was included but not very good quality. We asked for eggs with salmon and received the smallest piece of salmon one could fit onto a plate. We would have rather paid for our breakfast and received good quality food. Overall we felt less welcome than in many other hotels we stayed at throughout our trip.
When I first saw Makanda's reviews and looked at the pictures I could not wait to stay there. It was going to my 3rd stop in Costa Rica out of 4. When we arrived at the property we were treated extremely well, the resort looks amazing, and the room was absolutely visually stunning. We couldn't wait for the amazing time we would have there. Unfortunately we soon discovered that Makanda very clearly values style over substance. As an example, our room was absolutely beautiful and the bathroom was visually stunning. Curved walls, a beautiful overhead shower with rocky floor bottom and stunning tile work. ...Then you go to take a shower, and it feels like you're trying to walk on Legos on a hardwood floor. The most unpleasant shower I've ever been in in my life. I put three towels down on the floor of the shower and it was still painful. And as a point of reference, I walked barefoot through a kilometer of rainforest and rocky trail to jump waterfalls and that was less unpleasant than this shower. Not a great start. The next issue we encountered was in laundry service. As I stated we were staying at our third accommodation in Costa Rica; a 5 star resort in Arenal/La Fortuna, a 3 star hotel in Monteverde, and Makanda, a 4 star resort in Manuel Antonio. Laundry was free and took 5 hours at our 5 star resort. at the 3 star hotel laundry prices were incredibly cheap and was returned same day. At Makanda, you are paying exorbitant prices for laundry service (it was around $50 usd for 8-9 normal garments-T-shirts, underwear, shorts). We filled the bag, filled out the form, placed it on the counter as one does when they would like laundry done, and left the hotel for our tour for the day. when we returned to the room, it had been cleaned, however our dirty laundry was still in the bag on the counter. When we called the front desk, they informed us that laundry would not be done unless we informed the house cleaners. We looked at each other and asked if they needed a written invitation, before realizing that literally we had given them a written invitation (fully filled out laundry itemization form). I've never had any hotel anywhere not take laundry when left like this, let alone an ostensibly incredibly high end luxurious resort where I was paying over $700 per night. And oh by the way, housekeeping somehow failed to pick up 3 cocktail glasses that had been brought back from the pool, as though we were perhaps thinking of still finishing the melted ice water with mushy limes and sodden paper straws sinking listlessly into the murky liquid. The absolute bright spots of our time at Makanda was Luis at the restaurant and pool bar. While the prices at the bar and restaurant were extremely high compared to everywhere else we stayed in Costa Rica, and the quality was middling (certainly compared to the price), Luis' service and attitude were stellar and he was easily the saving grace of our time at Makanda by the Sea. Leo at the front desk was another standout, his humor and charm were wonderful and set things off on the right foot for our stay. Unfortunately his amazing attitude and charisma could not overcome the other shortcomings we encountered at Makanda. I will finish by saying that Makanda was STUNNINGLY beautiful. A truly gorgeous location where we saw monkeys in trees (and were accosted by them at breakfast, but that certainly was not Makanda's fault), gorgeous scarlet macaws at sunset, and some of the most beautiful aesthetic design work I've seen in a long time. It was unfortunate that the service and value were simply not there to justify the cost. If the hotel had been half the price I would still have been disappointed by the service however at the prices they pay, it seems as though they are most definitely seeking a certain clientele base, and I do not believe I was the target audience. If you are looking for a place for great pictures, you enjoy touristy locales with great instagram material, and watered down experiences in different parts of the world, Makanda may in fact be just what you are looking for. If you want any measure of substance or authenticity, Makanda may not be right for you.…
from the entrance you want to discover more from this hotel...a real nice welcome at the reception with Esteban...the hotel make us a great surprise...the Wow Loft....you may understand watching the pictures why :"WOW". A spectacular room, surrounded by tropical forest, the sea not that far....and after that different surprises by the hotel instalations like the main pool a real great design bar...and a real kind attention from the servers...during the Happy Hour but also at the breakfast...every contact with the personal was very kind and polite from the guy at the private beach as the carts' drivers... ending the day with a great "Guacamayas "show during the sun set...and a real nice diner. You have to go...choose the room you prefer...and enjoy!!!!
It was our second time here. It has amazing views and the architecture is breathtaking. First time around we came during the rainy season and stayed in WOW23. This has been one of the most amazing rooms we have ever been to. From the gorgeous decor, to the large and nature filled bathroom. It did rain non stop as was expected so there was a lot of room service and mini bar consumption. This time around we visited during the summer and shortly after they reopened due to COVID closures. Oceans 8 was a gorgeous room. Amazing view and luxurious bed. Only con was the smell (musty) and that for some strange reason the hallway leading to the front door was always soaking wet. Please visit the private beach. Not a lot of waves and oven water was almost warm. We are ser on visiting at least once a year. …
This place is jaw dropping beautiful! The artistic details in the design is amazing and pictures don't do it justice. The staff are fabulous as well. We decided we have to stay here every year as it allows for total relaxation in an amazing environment.
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